MODERN ORTHOPEDICS: INTEGRATION BETWEEN BASIC SCIENCE, BIOMECHANICS, AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

Abstract

Orthopedics is a surgical medical specialty dedicated to the musculoskeletal system, whose practice is based on the integration of anatomy, biomechanics, and pathophysiology. This article presents a narrative and didactic review that covers the pillars of the discipline, beginning with its definition and historical evolution. It then addresses the main methodological outlines of clinical research, essential for evidence-based medicine. The fundamental concepts of biomechanics and tissue healing, which guide diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning, are then detailed. Finally, the main pathologies, such as fractures, soft tissue injuries, and degenerative diseases, are analyzed as manifestations of a disruption in normal mechanical homeostasis. It concludes that excellence in modern orthopedic practice depends on the synthesis between basic scientific knowledge and its clinical application, always aiming at restoring function and quality of life for the patient.